Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 54
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
त्वया तु यदविज्ञानान्निहतो मे सुतश्शुचिः।तेन त्वामभिशप्स्यामि सुदुःखमतिदारुणम्।।।।
tvayā tu yad avijñānān nihato me sutaḥ śuciḥ | tena tvām abhiśapsyāmi suduḥkham atidāruṇam ||
Meskipun engkau membunuh putraku yang suci karena ketidaktahuan, karena alasan itulah aku akan mengutukmu dengan kesedihan yang amat sangat.
'Though you have killed my pure-hearted son unintentionally, I will pronounce a disastrous and dreadful curse on you.
FAQs
Dharma recognizes that even unintended wrongdoing can carry consequences; moral order responds not only to intention but also to the harm inflicted.
The ascetic acknowledges the killing was unintentional, yet declares he will curse Daśaratha due to the devastating result.
Moral discernment paired with severity: the ascetic distinguishes intent (ignorance) from outcome (death) while enforcing consequence.